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Hey guys. How many of you are using steel shafts vs graphite? I have really been debating about reshafting my irons. Right now I have some Callaway X-14's with graphite shafts. I have been using them for about 3 years now and have gotten comfortable but im not sure if they are holding me back. My swing speed is anywhere between 108-115. A few people have told me I would gain accuracy if I went to steel, but would lose distance. My distances are below.
Gap 115 Pitch 130 9i 145 8i 155 7i 165 6i 175 5i 195 4i 210 3i 220 How much distance do you think I would be losing going to steel? And do you think the loss in distance is worth the accuracy. Are most of you with swing speeds ove 100 using steel shafts? And should I get more expensive steel shafts or are they all pretty much the same? Let me know your thoughts. |
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# 1 6/21/2010 10:29:50 AM |
None you would lose none, if your swing speed is at what you state, you would lose nothing, mine is below yours and I hit my clubs further than you do with your graphite shafts.
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# 2 6/21/2010 10:37:56 AM |
If those distances are right, you're hitting it as long as a Tour pro, and no Tour pro uses graphite shafted irons. That should tell you something!
I don't swing nearly as fast, and I still use steel. The accuracy of steel is still superior to graphite, and probably always will be. The tip of a steel shaft has virtually no torque, so there is no unwanted twisting of the clubface in the hitting area. That also means any clubface errors are simply faults of the guy swinging the club. You will lose some distance, simply because steel is much heavier and harder to swing...but if I were you, I wouldn't care so much about how far I hit the ball. You'll get much more benefit out of hitting it straighter. As far as what brand to get, I think True Temper and Rifle are the best brands. The True Temper Dynalite Gold SL might be a good choice, as it is one of the lighter steel shafts (103 gram rough weight in stiff)...might make the transition from steel to graphite a little easier for you. True Temper Dynamic Gold is the classic steel shaft. Most people play them. It's quite a bit heavier than the Dynalite, though...127 grams rough...so it might come as too much of a shock coming from graphite. It also is a very low-launching shaft, so that might also hurt your game if you're used to the high ball. Rifle's Project X is much more expensive, about twice the price of a True Temper, and is a very popular shaft on Tour. It's in between the DG and the Dynalite in terms of weight. Hope that helps! |
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# 3 6/21/2010 10:39:46 AM |
Oops, I meant "from graphite to steel" in the 4th paragraph.
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# 4 6/21/2010 11:01:48 AM |
That does help Goynes42. I guess I have been going about it all wrong. I have always wanted distance but I really need to be all about accuracy since I have the distance and it hasn't been helping me improve. I like hitting a low ball, so the True Temper Dynamic Gold would be my first choice.
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# 5 6/21/2010 6:09:31 PM |
Has anyone on this site change from graphite to steel? Was it a easy transition or did you start hitting fat, thin or slicing? What are your thoughts on the your transition?
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# 6 6/21/2010 8:58:07 PM |
I think with your swing speed, you should be using steel. Graphites, typically, are better for slower swing speeds
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# 7 6/21/2010 11:21:16 PM |
1. True Temper's Dynamic Gold R300 or S300 aren't expensive, and they're more or less the gold standard for steel shafts. If you've got more money to blow, Project X steel shafts have become extremely popular.
2. You will lose some distance, probably about half a club, and your ball flight likely will be a bit lower, especially if you get stiff steel. 3. You won't hit fat or thin, but regular-flex steel works like stiff graphite and stiff steel works like EXTRA stiff graphite. So if you get stiff steel shafts, there's a chance you'll hit the ball right until you adjust. With your swing speed, you should have no trouble adjusting. One last note: If you're a digger and take big divots or if you like to hit knock-downs, steel will be harder on your wrists and hands, especially your left hand. When you see pros using graphite shafts, half the time it's for this reason ... to nurse tendinitis or some kind of hand/wrist injury. Icing your left hand/wrist after a round helps a bunch. (I'm assuming you're right-handed ... if you're left-handed, I mean your right hand/wrist ... whichever is your lead hand) |
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# 8 6/22/2010 12:42:06 AM |
So with all that has been said, how many of you have had any sort of wrist problems since using steel? When was the last time someone had a sore wrist from using their steel shafted clubs.
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# 9 6/22/2010 7:28:54 AM |
So with all that has been said, how many of you have had any sort of wrist problems since using steel? When was the last time someone had a sore wrist from using their steel shafted clubs. No more so than with graphite shafts. Switched to steel when I got fitted for my irons. Graphite still on fairway metals and driver though. |
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# 10 6/23/2010 1:08:29 PM |
So with all that has been said, how many of you have had any sort of wrist problems since using steel? When was the last time someone had a sore wrist from using their steel shafted clubs. I've always used steel shafts on irons (20+ years) and have never seen any of my playing partners use graphite, no injuries to report at all. I wouldn't worry about injury or soreness if you're a decent player. Unless you take out divots that are the size of a large chihuahua, and in that case I'd think you'd have some injuries even with graphite. Thats funny. I have had my share of Chihuaua's but at this point they are more like teacup yorkies. LOL. All joking aside, I compress the ball pretty well at this point. Very small divits. Hopefully I can catch on to the rigidness quickly. |
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# 11 6/23/2010 5:46:46 PM |
Don't let the injury thing keep you from getting steel. The pros hit 1,000s of balls a day with the majority of them using steel, and few of them report having problems.
In my case, I have a very steep angle of attack and hit the ground hard with my short irons and wedges to create spin. And the ground here in Texas during the summer is concrete. My tendonitis is a product of my swing and my environment, not necessarily steel shafts. |
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# 12 6/23/2010 6:23:43 PM |
Don't let the injury thing keep you from getting steel. The pros hit 1,000s of balls a day with the majority of them using steel, and few of them report having problems.
quote] I don't think there is any pro who hits "thousands of balls a day". The differences between pros and us, and there are many, is that they become acustomed to hitting a lot of balls (but not thousands a day). When weekend tennis players play a lot of tennis, they get tennis elbow. I doubt it happens often to Nadal and Federer. |
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# 13 6/24/2010 12:32:41 PM |
Hahah, right, the teacup ones are pretty small. Have you tried out any steel shafts at a golf shop yet? I could see it taking a little time to adjust, but maybe you'll hit 'em great right off the bat. Is your accuracy really that bad with the graphite? Would just hate to see you spend $$$ on all new shafts and use them for a year without seeing any improvement. Maybe you know somebody that would let you borrow their set for a couple of rounds to see how they feel? Just throwing out ideas, in case it's more your swing that is costing accuracy instead of your shafts. I tried one 7 iron out at Golfsmith, but that was on mat which to me is a false positive. A good hit on mat is not the same as a good hit on grass. I havn't had the chance to try one out on the course yet. Btw.. my accuracy is not the worst. I have my times. i think right now it is more about the swing that is killing my accuracy. I just want to make sure I am working with the best equipment in regards to my swing speed. Ill see if I can borrow a club for my next outing. |
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# 14 6/24/2010 9:30:42 PM |
Mikenomgi: "Hyperbole" ... ever hear of it?
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# 15 6/27/2010 2:33:00 PM |
Wow. I hit a few holes with steel shafter Mizuno's on Friday and I felt the difference. I actually hit it really good. Hit the green both times. I like the heavier feel. It seemed to drop into position easier than with graphite. It felt much more solid like I was in total control. Its definitely time to reshaft or buy a new set of irons.
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